Orlando alligator: Body of boy seized by alligator found

The Nebraska family was only three days into their vacation at "The Happiest Place on Earth" when the incident happened.

"The dive team located what was believed to be the remains of the deceased 2-year-old" around 1:45 p.m., saidOrange County Sheriff Jerry Demings Wednesday afternoon. A child was wading in the shallow water of the lagoon when the gator snatched the young boy and dragged him into the water.

"Based upon my 35 years of law enforcement experience, we know we have some challenges ahead at this time", he said.

Witnesses said the family was on the beach and the boy's 4-year-old sister was in a playpen about 20 to 30 yards from the water on the sand.

Can Disney be sued over gator attack?

The boy's body was uncovered on Wednesday from the manmade lagoon at Florida's Disney World, where the alligator had attacked him a day earlier. The father tried to rescue his son but was unsuccessful, Demings said. "He tried to rescue the child, however, to no avail".

"We have in excess of 50 law-enforcement personnel at the scene actively searching the lake", he added. "At some point I am told the mother may also have entered the water".

Authorities have begun euthanizing alligators at a Disney hotel in Orlando where a two-year-old boy was dragged into a lake by an alligator Tuesday night.

"Everyone here at Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident".

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a growth in population around waterside areas has led to "more frequent alligator-human interactions, and a greater potential for conflict".

Sheriff Demings said alligator attacks at Disney are nearly unheard of because the resort staff "have worked diligently to make sure their guests are not unduly exposed to the wildlife" that are indigenous to Florida.